ATI RN
Ethics and Issues in Contemporary Nursing Questions
Question 1 of 9
The Karnofsky prognostication scale is most appropriately used to screen patients with which medical diagnoses?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The Karnofsky Prognostication Scale is commonly used in patients with terminal illness, such as AIDS, to assess their functional status and predict their prognosis. Patients with AIDS often experience rapid decline in health, making this scale useful in determining their overall well-being and potential outcomes. Incorrect choices: A: Respiratory diseases - The Karnofsky scale is not commonly used for screening patients with respiratory diseases. B: Cancers - While the Karnofsky scale can be used for cancer patients, it is most commonly associated with terminal illnesses like AIDS. C: Cardiac diseases - The Karnofsky scale is not typically used for screening patients with cardiac diseases.
Question 2 of 9
A pregnant woman reports back pain and wants to try a complementary alternative medicine (CAM) therapy. The nurse knows that which CAM would be contraindicated?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Magnet therapy. Magnet therapy is contraindicated in pregnancy due to the risk of unknown effects on the fetus. Magnets may interfere with the body's natural magnetic fields, potentially causing harm to the developing baby. Aromatherapy (B), imagery (C), and therapeutic touch (D) are generally considered safe during pregnancy when performed by trained professionals and with appropriate precautions. Aromatherapy uses essential oils, imagery involves mental visualization techniques, and therapeutic touch uses energy-based techniques that do not pose significant risks to the pregnant woman or the fetus.
Question 3 of 9
A nurse learns of a mass casualty disaster following a known terrorist attack. On arriving at the scene, the nurse knows that:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because in a mass casualty disaster following a terrorist attack, the same ground rules practiced in other settings and during smaller crises will be applicable. This is because the scale and complexity of the disaster require established protocols and procedures to manage the situation effectively. Choice A is incorrect because the response of local hospitals may not necessarily be dictated by the federal government in such situations. Choice C is incorrect because assigning the least experienced nurses to triage patients based on their perceived risk or chances of survival is not ethical or effective. Choice D is incorrect because having multiple incident commanders can lead to confusion and delays in decision-making during a crisis.
Question 4 of 9
As part of a quality assurance project, a nurse is to round on every patient daily for 1 month to ensure the intravenous tubing is labeled with date hung and nurse's initials. The nurse is hoping to be promoted to a full-time position within the quality department, and her success on this project is very important to her receiving the position. The nurse retains all other assignments, and she is often interrupted to help other staff or answer call lights. The nurse discusses her concerns with the manager, who frees her for 1 hour each day to make rounds. During this 1 hour each day the nurse will organize herself and environment by practicing the:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: reducing stacked-desk syndrome. This term refers to the practice of organizing tasks and environment to prevent work from piling up. In this scenario, the nurse is given 1 hour each day to focus solely on the quality assurance project, helping her prevent tasks from accumulating and ensuring she can complete her rounds efficiently. This practice enhances productivity and enables the nurse to manage her workload effectively. Choice A, "art of 'no detourism,'" is irrelevant in this context as it does not address the issue of organizing tasks and environment. Choice C, "art of 'wastebasketry,'" is not applicable as it pertains to the skill of decision-making and prioritization, which is not the primary concern in this scenario. Choice D, "managing e-mail and memo mania," is also not directly related to the nurse's need to organize herself and environment for the quality assurance project.
Question 5 of 9
The Health Care Reform Act provides insurance for all U.S. citizens and legal residents presenting far-reaching ethical considerations related to diverse individual patient health care beliefs for those delivering nursing care. Nurses must consider their civil rights under the rights of conscience and how new health care agendas such as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) could affect their practice in situations that may conflict with their own belief system. Today's practicing nurse must:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step-by-step rationale for why answer A is correct: 1. Professional duty: Nurses have a duty to provide patient-centered care regardless of personal beliefs. 2. Legal liability: Withholding treatment based on personal beliefs can lead to legal consequences. 3. Ethical considerations: Nurses must prioritize patient care over personal beliefs. 4. Rights of conscience: Nurses may have the right to refuse to participate in certain treatments, but they must still ensure patient care. 5. Patient-centered care: Nurses must respect patient autonomy and provide care based on the patient's wishes. Summary of why the other choices are incorrect: B. Irrelevant to the nurse's duty to provide patient-centered care. C. Nurses should not impose their beliefs on patients but should respect and support their choices. D. Suggesting the hospital not accept federal funding does not address the nurse's duty to provide patient-centered care.
Question 6 of 9
A patient states, "My cancer is in remission finally after all that chemotherapy, my friend used the same chemotherapy and wasn't so lucky. I want to continue participating in spiritual care and 'mind games' to keep my memory intact. I am also enrolled in Tai chi, but I just can't stop thinking about my sick lung." This patient adheres to which principle underlying alternative healing?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Step-by-step rationale for why choice B is correct: 1. The patient believes in the power of complementary alternative therapies to help the body heal itself. 2. This aligns with the principle underlying alternative healing, which emphasizes the body's innate ability to heal. 3. By engaging in spiritual care, mind games, Tai chi, and focusing on memory and lung health, the patient is supporting the body's natural healing processes. 4. This choice is correct as it reflects the patient's belief in utilizing alternative therapies to support the body's healing mechanisms. Summary of why other choices are incorrect: A. This choice suggests a negative alteration affecting the mind and spirit, which is not directly related to the patient's belief in complementary alternative therapies for healing. C. While individualized approaches to therapy are important in alternative healing, this choice does not directly address the patient's belief in the body's ability to heal itself. D. While focusing on total lifestyle is important in alternative healing, this choice does not directly
Question 7 of 9
A nurse asks, "What is meant by 'internal' customers?" The correct response is: (select all that apply)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: X-ray technicians. Internal customers refer to individuals or departments within the same organization who rely on each other's services to fulfill their roles effectively. X-ray technicians work within the healthcare facility and depend on other staff like nurses for patient care coordination. Insurance companies (A) and accreditors (B) are external entities. Clinical pharmacists (D) are also internal, but X-ray technicians have a direct service-dependency relationship with nurses in healthcare settings, making them the most relevant internal customers in this context.
Question 8 of 9
An inexperienced nurse has heard of other novice nurses who take shortcuts in providing patient care. This nurse feels that this is unacceptable and that all tasks must be performed faultlessly, which leads to her inability to complete all assigned tasks. This nurse would benefit from the seminar "Obstacles to Time Management: How to Deal with:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Perfectionism. This nurse's belief that all tasks must be performed faultlessly is indicative of perfectionism, which can lead to inefficiency and inability to prioritize tasks effectively. By attending a seminar on overcoming perfectionism, the nurse can learn strategies to manage time more efficiently and prioritize tasks based on their importance. Creativity (option A) is not directly related to the nurse's struggle with completing tasks. Failure (option C) does not address the root cause of the nurse's issue. Downtime (option D) does not address the underlying perfectionism that is hindering the nurse's time management.
Question 9 of 9
A nurse is preparing to administer a medication by using the vastus lateralis site and is unfamiliar with the process. A step-by-step reference that shows how to complete the process is called a:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: deployment flowchart. A deployment flowchart is a visual representation that outlines the steps involved in a specific process, making it ideal for the nurse to follow when administering medication at the vastus lateralis site. It provides a detailed, step-by-step guide, ensuring the process is carried out accurately and safely. Explanation of other choices: B: Top-down flowchart - This type of flowchart shows the hierarchy or sequence of steps in a process but may not provide the specific details needed for the nurse's task. C: Pareto chart - A Pareto chart is used to prioritize and identify the most significant factors in a process, not suitable for providing step-by-step instructions. D: Control plot - This term is not related to providing detailed instructions for a process, making it an incorrect choice.